Rodeo found to be illegal

A new report from the University of Montreal has found rodeo is illegal and in violation of animal welfare laws. https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/report-concludes-that-quebec-s-rodeos-violate-animal-welfare-laws-1.3880158

The 690-page report includes analysis of footage from 20 rodeos and expert opinion from veterinarians and animal behaviourists: https://papyrus.bib.umontreal.ca/xmlui/handle/1866/19925

The evidence that rodeo is animal abuse, is incontrovertible.

We sincerely hope that our National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee cease resisting facts and evidence, and takes immediate steps to stop rodeo animal abuse in New Zealand.

Our international reputation is at stake. There is risk of serious damage should overseas markets become aware that our National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee - and our government – is so out-of-step with 21st Century understandings of animal sentience that it accepts physically and psychologically assaulting animals is entertaining.

The standing of NAWAC in the eyes of international trends must also be questioned. Rodeo in the form it occurs in New Zealand, was banned in the UK almost 100 years ago when the public and authorities were appalled at what they saw and took immediate action to prevent it. There can be no pride in our animal welfare standards when, almost 100 years on, our animal welfare authorities are still resisting taking action to prevent the same cruelty despite being provided with years of evidence.

When our markets discover a significant number of our farmers are involved in these violence-as-fun shows, by providing animals, competing and organizing the events, and as spectators, we do not expect this will be good for New Zealand’s economy. Rodeo images are not used to promote our animal welfare standards and it may be helpful to wonder why that is.

RSPCA South Australia is now calling for a ban on rodeo: http://www.rspcasa.org.au/issues/ban-rodeos/

The Queensland RSPCA is now calling for a ban on rodeos: https://southburnett.com.au/news2/2018/04/09/rspca-calls-for-rodeo-ban/

Our own SPCA called for a ban in 2016 that NAWAC resisted and blocked.

The New Zealand Animal Law Association last month released a report showing that rodeo is already illegal in New Zealand and against the Animal Welfare Act.

It is time to act and do the right thing. Public, veterinary and animal behaviourist testimony condemns rodeo for what it is – animal abuse. Rodeo’s days are over. It cannot be modified or fined to make it any more humane.

How much more evidence does NAWAC need? Our government representatives and animal welfare representatives need to stop pandering to rural animal abuser voters, stop pandering to family biases and loyalties, stop pandering to self-interest in job maintenance and do what they are paid to do, and do the right thing.

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